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Saturday, December 17, 2011

Philippines floods kill nearly 200 people.

At least 180 people are dead after Tropical Storm Washi pummeled the Philippines, officials said Saturday. The deaths occurred in areas such as Iligan and Cagayan de Oro cities and Compostela Valley and Zamboanga del Norte -- Storm, floods in south Philippines kill nearly 200 The Associated Press Storm,

The vast majority of the bodies were found in the cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro, according to military officials and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. Five people were killed in a landslide, but all others died in flash flooding.

The provinces of Compostela Valley and Zamboanga del Norte were also hit, said Benito Ramos, chairman of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.About 400 people are missing after the storm, which is called Sendong locally. More than 2,000 have been rescued, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said officials are investigating reports that an entire village was swept away.

10,000 soldiers embarked on search-and-rescue operations, the military said.Though Washi was headed away from the Philippines on Saturday, trouble could loom for Vietnam, as the storm's westerly path could cross Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday.Ramos said despite government warning, some did not evacuate.

20,000 people were staying in 10 evacuation centers in Cagayan de Oro, Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman said Saturday.More than 10,000 soldiers embarked on search-and-rescue operations, the military said.Though Washi was headed away from the Philippines on Saturday, trouble could loom for Vietnam, as the storm's westerly path could cross Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday.Pounding rain from a tropical storm swelled rivers and sent walls of water rushing through the southern Philippines while people were asleep, killing nearly 200 with scores missing, officials said Saturday.